Young woman reveals the three symptoms doctors ignored for months before she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer just before her 24th birthday
A young woman who noticed a lump in her neck, lost weight and felt “incredibly tired” was told by doctors that her symptoms were “nothing to worry about.”
The side effects continued, however, and 18 months later, Charlotte Squires was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin lymphoma a week before her 24th birthday.
“By the time I was diagnosed it was not a shock but a relief,” Charlotte, of Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Femail said.
“I went to the doctor several times to get answers, but was blatantly ignored.
“I was told ‘you look so good, you lost so much weight’ – when the weight loss was a major symptom.”
Now the 31-year-old mother and doula is on a mission to encourage other women to voice their concerns and trust their gut when something seems off.
Charlotte Squires (pictured with partner Jack and their two children) was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma the week before her 24th birthday in July 2016
Her symptoms included a lump on the side of her neck, itchy skin, weight loss and fatigue, but despite multiple visits to the GP, this was ignored for 18 months. “By the time I was diagnosed, it wasn’t a shock but a relief,” she said
Prior to being diagnosed, Charlotte lived a “classic early 20s lifestyle,” hanging out with friends and enjoying her childhood. She also ran a small business full time.
‘Life was very busy, fun and exciting things happened. But it was tainted by the physical symptoms I was experiencing,” she recalled.
“As busy as I was, I couldn’t keep up.”
While traveling through New York with her partner and brother, she felt a lump in her left collarbone – the first of several symptoms.
During the trip, her skin also “began to itch incredibly” and a rash developed on her legs.
“I thought I might have bed bugs, but my partner wasn’t itchy,” she said. Overall, her body “didn’t feel right” at the time.
When she got home, she went to see her GP, who wasn’t too concerned.
Prior to being diagnosed, Charlotte lived a “classic early 20s lifestyle,” hanging out with friends and enjoying her childhood. ‘Life was very busy, fun and exciting things happened. But it was tainted by the physical symptoms I was experiencing,” she recalled
Life went by and she visited the doctor several times, but never got an answer.
“I was with a physical therapist, a naturopath, and was the healthiest I’d ever been, but still thought I was doing something wrong,” she said, feeling “confused,” but her mother urged her to answer questions. to insist.
So she went for a second opinion to another doctor she hadn’t seen in “years.”
“He asked me, ‘What is your greatest fear? What do you think this is?’ and I said, ‘I think it’s Hodgkin’s lymphoma,'” Charlotte said.
“I relied on the Google Doctor to think about what it might be, and I had never heard of Hodgkins.”
At that time, she also noticed that nodules were swelling under her armpits – another common symptom of blood cancer.
Charlotte then underwent “every type of test” to understand why her symptoms occurred, including a biopsy that was “inconclusive.” She also went to an ENT surgeon for another small biopsy.
Fast forward nine weeks and she received the terrible news: it was cancer.
“Stage four is as bad as it gets. I was so shocked that it got so bad. My hematologist was shocked that I had slipped through the cracks in the medical system,” she said.
Fast forward nine weeks and she received the terrible news: it was cancer. “Stage four is as bad as it gets. I was so shocked that it got so bad. My hematologist was shocked that I had slipped through the cracks in the medical system,” she said.
“Getting the diagnosis was my worst nightmare come true. I walked out of the appointment and my whole life fell into a million pieces,” she said.
‘I spoke to my regular GP and he asked what my biggest fear was about this. I wasn’t afraid of dying, but I was afraid of the possibility that I wouldn’t have children.’
The cancer was spread over her neck, armpits, groin and chest, but they were all “small tumors no larger than 7 cm.”
Before starting treatment, she opted for IVF to retrieve some of her eggs for use at a later date.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mother and fertility was a big concern I had. IVF lasted a month, then I started chemotherapy in August,” she recalls.
Treatment was required every two weeks for six months and radiotherapy was not necessary.
After the first few sessions, Charlotte says she felt a “reduction in size” of the lumps she had on her neck, and a PET scan confirmed that the treatment was working to shrink the tumors.
By the end of treatment, there were no further signs of cancer and she entered remission.
Today, Charlotte can proudly say that she has been cancer-free for five years and that within that time she gave birth to two children naturally, without the need for the eggs.
“The whole journey to wellness was a big process of coming home to myself. I re-learned how to take care of myself,” she said.
Cancer was the worst wrapped gift I ever received. It was horrible and I would never want to go through it again, but it made me appreciate life in a different way.’
“Today I trust my instincts so much more than ever. It’s been a huge precursor to motherhood.’
Fortunately, six months of chemotherapy freed her body from the deadly cancer and she has now been cancer free for five years. During that time she also gave birth to two children naturally and did not use the eggs obtained through IVF
Charlotte hopes her story will inspire others – especially young women – to make sure their health is a top priority. Trust yourself, support yourself, because you know best. Find people who will listen to you and confirm your concerns and experiences,” she said
Charlotte hopes her story will inspire others – especially young women – to make sure their health is a top priority.
Trust yourself, support yourself, because you know best. Find people who will listen to you and confirm your concerns and experiences,” she said.
“Ultimately, if our backs are against the wall and we need that support, if the right people don’t advocate for us… we’re done.
“It’s very important for women to listen to themselves and their instincts when they experience symptoms.”
READ MORE: Warning from a young nurse to Australians why everyone should have a bed frame to avoid dangerous mould
I put my house up for sale in Adelaide and within hours Netflix was on the phone with a very tempting offer – and here’s why
Mum, 39, with olive skin that tanned quickly and thought she was ‘invincible’ shares the shocking moment when a ‘nasty bump’ on her face turned out to be skin cancer